10 takeaways from tonight in the NBA:
1) First and foremost, Raptors announced that Nathan Tyler Barrett, the younger brother of RJ Barrett, has passed away. The shittiest of news. Please remember to cherish moments. Spreading all the love and positivity to the Barrett family.
2) Boston is inevitable. They shoot 50% from three on 50 attempts. Jesus Christ. One of ten teams to ever do so. Jaylen Brown scores 37 on 72.2 TS% and is now averaging 30.6 PPG over his last 5.
BOS 3PT shooting:
Jaylen Brown 5-9
Jayson Tatum 4-8
Al Horford 6-10 (ties career-high)
Jrue Holiday 3-5
Jusuf Nurkic somehow pulled down 20 rebounds, the most allowed by Boston this season.
Joe Mazzulla is a madman. This guy contested a Royce O'Neale shot after a timeout and said, “If I’m gonna ask the guys to contest, staff’s gotta do the same. One of the biggest pet peeves is thinking a guy's going to get a free shot. That's not how it works."
Celts clinch a playoff spot. Whew.
"He's playing so well, on both ends of the floor ... It's fun to watch." - Joe Mazzulla on Jaylen Brown
“Some of the stuff you could say about me last year you can’t say anymore.” - Jaylen Brown
3) Clippers also shoot lights out. Most teams do against the Bulls but today it's the Clippers. They also shoot 50% from three but on 10 fewer shots. Paul George (28 points, 7 assists, 11-12 FG) had a 116.7 TS%. LMFAOOO
Bones Hyland drew the start for James Harden (shoulder) and was awesome, as you'd predict. 17 points, a career-high 11 assists and 4 steals (also a career-high). Am I the only one who wishes he'd play for a tank team?
"It's tough being young, wanting to play. He took advantage of his opportunity, and he has been since Russ' been out." - Kawhi Leonard
4) Not sure if I've seen the Wizards play worse defense (123.9 dRTG) and that's saying a lot (they probably have). Rockets steamrolled. Jalen Green goes off for 37 on 77.5 TS% and Amen Thomson gets his first 20-10 game. Amen's averaging a dub-dub in his 8 starts (12.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG).
If you haven't seen it already, head to the search bar and type Jalen Green. He did a Harden/Steph mashup. You'll see what I mean. Gonna watch it a few more times after I'm done here.
Rockets have won 4 straight and are 6-1 in March.
5) No idea why the Sixers are still starting Mo Bamba (5 points, 5 rebounds). In fact, it's kinda wild that they're finally sticking to a lineup. First time they've used the same lineup in B2B games since before the ASB.
If you're not gonna start Reed, maybe try out Kenyon Martin Jr.? I mean, there was a stretch where he was playing mid-20s in January. Or maybe I'm just not as smart as Nick Nurse? Very possible. All I know is that Mo Bamba ain't it.
ON COURT NET RATING:
Bamba: -3.5
Reed: 2.0
Martin: -1.0
Bucks sweep the Sixers.
6) Daniel Gafford finally missed a shot, ending his streak of consecutive field goals made at 33. He made his next 4 which makes it hurt even more. Wilt gets to keep his streak (35) for now. Gafford (19 points, 15 rebounds) still had himself a night and Kyrie did his best Luka impression (36 points, 12 assists). Just wasn't enough. OKC wins 126-119.
Josh Green rolled his ankle in the ugliest of ways (X-rays came back negative). Unlike Jalen Green, please don't search for it. He'll be out a bit. Derrick Jones Jr. gonna really be needed. That defense is already rough as is.
Mavs did get some good news on Luka. Kidd said the hamstring came back clean. They're calling it a "sore left hamstring" and will be reevaluated this weekend.
7) JDub (27 points, 5 assists, 4 stocks) returned after a one-game absence. Looked better than ever. Had 2 of the nicest chase-down blocks you'll see this season. God, the one on Kyrie had even Kyrie smiling. Guess you could search for those too while you're at the search bar. His energy is so contagious. Nationally televised OKC games are the best.
“Appreciate your support and your hate” - Shai on doubters
“It comes from how hard he plays. It’s that simple.” - Mark Daigneault on the energy Jalen Williams brings.
8) Something to keep an eye on is OG Anunoby's elbow. Had it wrapped on the bench, then turned around during halftime warmups to get worked on by trainers. He started the second half but still worth noting.
Jalen Brunson (45 points, 4 assists, 45.1% usage!!!) has his 6th 40-point game of the season. Josh Hart has his 5th 15-rebound game of the season and starts another 40-minute streak. Hart's averaging 12.3 rebounds since the ASB. So wild.
Knicks finally allow 80 points and are now 14-2 with Anunoby.
Oh, and you thought Alec Burks's stock couldn't fall any lower? Thibs said him not playing in the second half was a basketball decision. He dead.
“Stuff like that is gonna happen. We were expecting there to be bumps and bruises like that.” - Thibs on OG's elbow
9) DOMINAYTON UNLOCKED AGAIN (31 points, 14 rebounds, 28.9% usage). It's his 7th consecutive dub-dub, tying the longest streak of his career. Makes you appreciate Sabonis' 48-game streak a bit more when you read something like that.
10) As insane as the Aaron Rodgers VP thing was, it wasn't even the wildest political story of the week. Maybe it was, I dunno.
Johnny Buss, brother of Lakers' governor Jeanie Buss, has filed to run for President of the United States of America. I swear to god, man. This country is so comical.
What am I doing? Can't end on that note. Happy 36th Birthday, Steph Curry.
Much better, love you all ❤️
What are you, 12? The biggest story on social media is barely a pebble in the ocean of things I care about. The biggest story on social media means as much to me as who won a VMA last year.
podcast.app
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, but avoid the other 3 names. For just one day.
